Spurs' Robinson Placed on Injured List

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, January 23, 2003

The San Antonio Spurs placed center David Robinson on the injured list Friday because of lower back spasms.

Robinson, who back tightened up Wednesday night after the Spurs' loss to Memphis, will miss at least two games.

Being placed on the injured list usually means a player must sit out for at least five games, but Spurs spokesman Tom James said the team was avoiding that rule by not replacing Robinson on the active roster.

Robinson didn't travel with the team to Salt Lake City for Friday night's game at the Utah Jazz, and he'll also miss the Spurs' game against the visiting Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

The 7-foot-1 center, playing in his final season, has had back trouble late in his 13-year career, beginning with the 1996-97 season, when he missed all but six games.

The 37-year-old Robinson sat out most of last season's playoffs after aggravating an injury at the end of the regular season.

James said an MRI exam Thursday showed that Robinson's back condition had not changed significantly from the end of last season.

"The good news is that nothing has shifted or moved," James said. "Nothing funny is going on in there."

After Saturday's game, the Spurs play four road games in seven days. Robinson's status for those games will be determined by how well he responds to rest and treatment.